Access Vegas Insider Vibe – February 6, 2008

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

Welcome to the Insider Vibe! This is the official newsletter of AccessVegas.Com. We talk about the Las Vegas activities you really care about.

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Featured Shows Stomp Out Loud Mamma Mia! Monty Python’s Spamalot Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular Blue Man Group Photos and Wallpaper Las Vegas Photos (Send A Free E-Card!) Wallpaper and Screensavers

Newkirk’s Notes – comments on Las Vegas from AccessVegas.Com publisher Ted Newkirk:

Hello From Las Vegas! Super Bowl Sunday brought some miserable weather with high winds and rain. Fortunately, just about everyone was inside watching one of the most exciting NFL championship games in some time! I had no rooting interest in either team, and am kicking myself for breaking a long tradition I have of betting on the Super Bowl: If I’m ambivalent about both teams, I’ll toss a few bucks on the underdog to win outright. If they win, the bet will generally pay 2 or 3 times my original wager (depending on how much of an underdog the team is). New England looked so strong this year, I skipped making an underdog bet on The Giants. Big Mistake! Moral of the story? Get your bets in, especially when it is just a few bucks for fun!

Prior to the game, huge hoopla surrounded the notion that betting on the game here in Nevada would top $100,000,000. In reality, the “handle” on the game was $92,000,000 and not even a record. Many conjecture that this number keeps from growing despite growth in tourism here because the sports books are more hesitant to take larger wagers (in the tens, and sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars) which may hurt them. As it is, the books lost $2,600,000 on the upset as people were betting the underdog.

Bonus Super Bowl Trivia Questions – We have some fun stuff collecting dust in the prize closet, and we are cleaning it out to make way for some very cool new contests and giveaways (as soon as we get our slick new contest software up and running). You need to answer all of the the following questions:

• What famous (infamous) casino owner put a million dollar bet on the Super Bowl at a small, dive casino on The Strip?

• What was the name of that casino?

• What sits now where that casino used to be?

We’ll have a random drawing from correct answers. Send your answers to our special email radiovegas@aol.com. The winner will receive the following prize package:

The Prize Package: The book Las Vegas: The Fabulous First Century, the CD Doc Gibbs: Serving It Up Hot (Doc was Emerl Lagasse’s longtime band leader), the 2006 Zagat Survey for Las Vegas, the 2006 Guide To Las Vegas, and a Good Fellas Las Vegas Bail Bonds t-shirt (877-384-JAIL). Hey… I wasn’t kidding when I said we were cleaning out the prize closet!

Click Above Photo To View Complete Photo Set

Finally, congratulations to Mamma Mia! on the fifth anniversary of this amazing show playing Mandalay Bay. Five years is a lifetime in Las Vegas, and the success of this show is no fluke. I’ve talked to so many people, young and old, male and female, from all over the world who have seen this show and had nothing but great things to say about us!

Mamma Mia! is one of our fine advertisers. We only accept advertising from entities that we believe in… some of the top hotel providers, shows, and activities in Las Vegas. We thank them for helping keep this newsletter free. Check out their advertisements on the sidebar to the right and enjoy one (or more) of these top shows on your next visit.

Enjoy This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
CEO/Managing Editor

Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs

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Feature Story:
Bellagio Gardens Chinese New Year Display

Click Above Photo To View Complete Photo Set

Striking New Display Incorporates Ancient Art of Feng Shui to Welcome Year of the Rat — Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is celebrating the 2008 Chinese New Year, the Year of the Rat, with a unique display filled with hidden meaning. The Conservatory’s design is guided by the ancient practice of Feng Shui– the art of using surroundings to attract harmony, balance and positive life energy. The dramatic centerpiece of this exhibit will be found perched atop an oversized, flowering branch. Here, a botanical, 5-foot-tall rodent will watch guests with an inquisitive eye. The auspicious rat’s lush coat will be made of red Alternanthera, a low-growing herb, with a touch of pink Hypoestes, a tropical plant. His long curling tail and delicate whiskers will be made of metal.

Legend has it that Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came. The rat is revered for its place as first in the Asian zodiac and is a symbol of renewal. Those born in the Year of the Rat tend to be intelligent, charming and practical. Just steps away from Bellagio’s delightful rodent ambassador, an 18-foot-tall Chinese God of Wealth and Fortune will be found amidst gleaming I-Ching coins, a traditional Chinese money symbol. Widely recognized as the strongest symbol of good fortune in China, the God of Wealth and Fortune will be flanked by two Ming Dynasty-styled dings, ancestral vessels that protect against bad luck.

Nearby, visitors will find a zigzag bridge leading to a beautiful, wing-tipped gazebo painted a deep red lacquer with shimmering gold trim and green-tiled roofs. The color red signifies happiness while the upturned roofline will ward off evil spirits and the sharp pattern of the bridge will protect against negative energy and bad spirits. A majestic mountain, seen as a pillar between heaven and earth, will serve as a dramatic backdrop. The teachings of Feng Shui also will be used to purposely position the flow of water into Bellagio’s Conservatory, and not away, ensuring the flow of positive energy. From a tranquil Koi pond to a shimmering waterfall, water will denote the larger world we live in while carp will signify good luck and everlasting good fortune. Visitors are invited to celebrate Chinese New Year in Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens through March 15, 2008. (Article courtesy of MGM Mirage)

Chinese New Year Conservatory Facts:

• 5-foot-tall rat comprised of red Alternanthera and pink Hypoestes
• 18-foot-tall God of Wealth and Fortune
• I-Ching coins are traditional money symbol
• Zigzag bridges, color red, water and Koi protect against evil, ensure positivity

Related Links:

• Bellagio Gardens Las Vegas Chinese New Year 2008 Photos

• Celebrate Chinese New Year With MGM Mirage – Resorts Offer Festive Cultural Offering

Sushi Roku Gives Guests A Smooch With Its Valentine’s Day Cocktail Dragon Kiss – Sushi Roku offers a fiery liquid concoction, Dragon Kiss, for a hot and blazing Valentine’s Day. Sushi Roku’s Dragon Kiss cocktail is a delightful blend created to make lovers melt and set hearts on fire. This libation is assembled with 8 mint leaves, 1 whole lime, ¢ ounce of White Tea Fusion, 1¢ ounces of Disaronno and 1¢ ounces of lemon sour. Click to Read The Full Story …

Celebrate The Chinese New Year At Gold Coast – Gold Coast Hotel and Casino will celebrate the Chinese New Year on February 12 with one of the largest traditional Chinese Dragon Dances in Las Vegas. At 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. a traditional Chinese lion and a 62-foot Chinese dragon will dance through the casino to bring good luck to all in attendance. It is believed that the lion will chase away evil spirits and bring good luck and prosperity. The dragon represents wisdom and a long life. Kung fu practitioners from the Lohan School of Shaolin will perform the dances.

Gambling Talk: Video Keno – Part Four – with Victor H. Royer. Cleopatra Keno – The base game is Video Keno, simple, as I have described it earlier. The difference lies in the last ball drawn (the last number, displayed on a ball which you can see being drawn from a device that looks like the Lounge Keno “blower” or “tumbler”). If this last number matches your selected numbers, and if this makes it into a winner for you, in addition to the wins you get for this hit you will now also receive 12 free games. During these free games any wins you get are doubled, so you win twice the amount you would have normally won, and for free. Click to Read Complete Article…

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More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

• Rush Extends The “Snakes & Arrows Tour,” Bringing It To The Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, May 10Rush Tickets

• Comedian Margaret Cho To Perform At The Pearl March 29 – Witty Remarks Will Flow During The Beautiful Stand-Up TourMargaret Cho Tickets

• Your Next Best Bette Is At The Riviera In ‘An Evening At La Cage’La Cage Tickets

• Jersey Boys Tickets On Sale Now For The Hit Musical In Las VegasJersey Boys Tickets

• Midler to retire after Vegas residencyBette Midler Tickets

• Madame Tussauds Las Vegas Honors Evel KnievelMadame Tussauds Tickets

• ‘Fashionistas’ too hard a sell despite moments of geniusFashionistas Tickets

• Still Going: Repeat business no problem for singer Tom JonesTom Jones Tickets

• Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Heats Things Up With Provocative Valentine’s Day OffersHard Rock Hotel & Casino Info and Reservations

• Disaster Avoided in Vegas Casino Blaze

• Official orders fire-damaged Vegas Strip casino facade removed

• Winds postpone repair work, damaged Vegas casino stays closed

• Hundreds of workers at fire-hit Monte Carlo casino in Vegas

• No cause found yet for Vegas Strip hotel fire

• Workers Begin Monte Carlo Repairs – Casino Remains Closed To Public

• Workers’ torch started Vegas casino fire

• Dance In The Street With Space Oddity — David Brighton’s Tribute To David Bowie At The Cannery Casino & Hotel

• Black Diamond “The Ultimate Tribute to KISS,” To Perform At The Club Inside The Cannery Casino & Hotel

• Rampart Casino Features Valentine’s Day Dining Specials

• Celebrating a Legend: Liberace!

• BLT Burger To Open In Spring 2008 At The Mirage

• Peace Frog–Tribute To The Doors, Breaks On Through To The Cannery Casino & Hotel

• T&T Explodes At Luxor With Hot Mexican Fare And Edgy Design Is Set To Open Summer Of 2008

• DJ Craze, Smalltown DJs And Mat The Alien February 14 At Eyecandy Sound Lounge & Bar

• The Frisco Market Buffet At Arizona Charlie’s Decatur Is Now Featuring The “Hawaiian Night Luau” On Wednesdays – “Prime Rib And Potato Bar Night” Is Featured On Sundays

• Citysearch And Zagat Name Strip House One Of The Top Ten New Restaurants In Las Vegas

• The Las Vegas Art Museum Is Pleased To Present An Exhibition Featuring Recent Works By British-Based Artist Paul Morrison

• OriginIndia To Tantalize And Excite With An Aphrodisiac Inspired Valentine’s Day Menu And Event On February 14th 2008

• Super Bowl Bets in Vegas May Exceed $100 Million for First Time

• Las Vegas Tourism Immune to Economy Woes?

• Palazzo Praised in Early Returns

• Dancers pull out all the stops at open auditions for Cirque du Soleil

• Nightclubs causing problems for Brown

• New owner plans to close, implode Greek Isles resort

• Ready to Steak Their Claim – Three high-profile steakhouses will be among Palazzo’s dining options

• $40 billion boost in tourism coffer helps Sin City keep on growing

• Vegas the only place Patriots don’t win

• License OK’d for Binion’s owner

• Harrah’s Entertainment goes private after $17.1 billion buyout

• Vegas on building spree

• Boyd Gaming now industry giant, but founder aims to keep family-owned touch

• Material that burned in Monte Carlo fire used at other sites

• Las Vegas Resorts Never Looked Better

• Vegas race books buck trend – Millions of dollars in upgrades prompt increase in parimutuel wagering

• Las Vegas business sentiment flags for 2008

• Topless party pools endangered in Vegas??

• Clear Channel Spectacolor Bookends the Las Vegas Strip

• Locals Worry About Economic Future

• Nevada Unemployment Hits 5.8 Percent in December

• Vegas visit whirl of color, consumption

• Horizon Air Announces Flights from Santa Rosa to Las Vegas

• Casino connection not novel to Vegas

• North Las Vegas has come a long way

• Adelson comments on building walls

• Probe of Harrah’s remodeling jobs turned over to DA in Las Vegas

• Piaget brings Swiss luxe to Vegas

• Weekly Nationwide Broadcasts Will Introduce WSOP to New Audiences

• NFL asking judge drop it from ‘Pacman’ Jones lawsuit in Vegas

• One-of-a-kind payoff – BJ’s Cocktail Lounge has great food for a video poker bar

• With Italy’s seal of approval …

• Officials Plan For New Valley Airport

• When Harry Met Vegas

• Counter Terrorism Fusion Center Opens in Las Vegas

• Bootlegger’s legend keeps growing – Family’s restaurant legacy includes feeding Sinatra and the Rat Pack

• Officials discuss adding roads to, from Ivanpah airport site

• Photo enforcement vans set up on U.S. Highway 93

• It’s Nuh-VAD-uh, not Nuh-VAH-duh

• Makeovers, smiles among contestants

• New spins in Vegas

• For travelers from Indiana, Vegas rules

• Fantasy cars are for rent in Vegas

• Reporter treats himself while in Las Vegas for assignment

• Vegas chapels’ unholy hustle

• Made-over beauty queens vie for Miss America crown in Las Vegas

• Tourism slump may be afoot

• Las Vegas market makes a splash

• Johnny Rockets chain to open stores throughout valley

• Federal judge issues injunction in newsrack fee dispute

• Las Vegas Park Gets Historic Designation

• Barney’s on the Las Vegas Strip — oh, so swanky

• Moody’s downgrades Vegas monorail

• President Bush Visits Las Vegas

• Miss USA pageant heading to Vegas

• Plan to widen I-15 along Las Vegas Strip gets OK

• Hush Puppy recreates the rural Southern eating experience

• Hands off the dunes, off-roaders tell county

• Gambling for God – Converting casino chips to cash for the church is Arthur Nelson’s job

• Las Vegas Art Museum plans to relocate near Strip

• Utility officials water down pipeline fears

• Plans prompt water scrutiny

• Nevada caucuses provide lazy national media a stage for clichÚ-ridden coverage

• Design duel in the desert – Reality show’s room transformations pit ‘Cher’ against ‘Elvis’

• E.T Can Phone Homey – Classified Base at Groom Lake Has a New Handle

• Some caucus-goers carry more weight

• Air of the Past: Golden Steer Steak House a nice blend of Old, New Vegas

• Great Mall of Las Vegas plans altered by Triple Five

• Housing Market Takes Hit in 2007

• Las Vegas Housing Market Looks to 2008

• Metro Warns of Growing Real Estate Fraud

• Vacancy rates climb in local office market

• Las Vegas businesses have bleaker outlook for 2008 than for previous years

• Nevada tops in population growth – Is that good? Well, would you rather be in Michigan?

• Downtown’s numbers add up – New construction, businesses boost property tax receipts, attract people

• McCarran Airport Looks to Help Certain Small Biz Owners

• Ideas traded in tax debate

• State jobless rate at five-year high – Rate of 5.8 percent makes Nevada eighth-worst in U.S.

• Vegas crime stats way too high

• Las Vegas Worst Place To Have Baby?

• Local Business Struggles to Hang on in Las Vegas Economy

• Nevada atop the mortgage meltdown list

• State Sales Taxes Down In November

• Analyst details housing slump – Sales volume, prices sink locally in 2007

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Coming Hot Holidays – The following dates are huge times to be in Las Vegas, and rooms are in high demand. Booking in advance is the best way to save. Visit our friends at Las Vegas Hotel Deals and spend one of the following hot dates having fun in Las Vegas:

• Valentine’s Day February 14
• President’s Day February 16-18 (3 day weekend)
• Washington’s Birthday February 22
• St. Patrick’s Day March 17
• Easter Sunday March 23
• Cinco de Mayo May 5
• Mother’s Day May 11
• Victoria Day, Canada May 17-19 (3 day weekend)
• Memorial Day May 24-26 (3 day weekend)
• Father’s Day June 15
• Canada Day, Canada July 1
• Independence Day July 4-6 (3 day weekend)
• Civic Holiday, Canada August 2-4 (3 day weekend)
• Labor Day, U.S August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
• Labour Day, Canada August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
• Grandparent’s Day September 7
• Jewish New Year September 30
• Yom Kippur October 9
• Columbus Day October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
• Thanksgiving Day, Canada October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
• Halloween October 31
• Veteran’s Day November 11
• Thanksgiving Day November 27-30 (4 day weekend)
• Hanukkah Dec. 22 – Dec. 29
• Christmas December 25
• New Year’s Eve-Day December 31 – January 1
• Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, U.S (Observed) January 19-21 (3 day weekend)
• Chinese/Lunar New Year January 26

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All contents copyright 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

February 6, 2008 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

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